Latest news with #IranianRevolutionaryGuardCorps
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Helping Iranian group in UK to be punished with ‘full force of law'
People accused of helping the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) should face the 'full weight of the law' under a planned crackdown, a government adviser has said. The Home Office will this week publish a report by Jonathan Hall, the Government's independent adviser on terrorism law, setting out a new legal framework for how the IRGC could be proscribed. Mr Hall told the BBC the IRGC would not be treated like a terrorist group such as Hamas or al-Qaeda but would instead be covered by a new 'proscription-like' designation to deter people from helping it. 'I don't think that the Terrorism Act is the right piece of legislation. I don't think it's about calling the IRGC, which is a formal part of the Iranian government, a terrorist group,' said Mr Hall. 'But I've looked at whether you could create sort of an alternative prescription-like mechanism. It's undoubtedly the case that the authorities do need even more tools to deal with this particular threat.' Successive governments have resisted proscribing the IRGC as a terrorist group because of concerns over the impact on diplomatic relations with Iran and the legal complexities involved in doing so. Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary, said: 'We must also strengthen our powers to protect our national security as we will not tolerate growing state threats on our soil.' However, the growing threat from Iran and its agents to the UK from within its borders has shifted thinking. On Saturday, three Iranian former asylum seekers appeared in court accused of spying for Tehran. Earlier this month, five Iranian men were arrested in connection with a suspected plot to mount a terror attack reportedly on the Israeli embassy in London. More than 500 MPs and Lords, including Lord Kinnock, former Labour leader, Sir Iain Duncan Smith, former Tory leader, and Suella Braverman, former home secretary, have written to Sir Keir Starmer urging him to proscribe the IRGC as a terrorist group. Proscription carries a six-month jail sentence for displaying support for the terrorist group and up to 14 years in prison for being a member or recruiting people to it. Mr Hall said there needed to be action taken to ensure that the public knew that helping the IRGC would bring down on them the 'full weight of the law'. 'We need a lot more public understanding about the threat. So for example, if I'm an organised criminal and I'm offered some money to go and carry out an attack on a synagogue, you hope people will start to think, I'd better not do that, because if I do, the full weight of authority is going to come down on me,' he said. 'Organised criminals, ex-military people who might carry out surveillance, people who might do a job for money, we have to hope the public becomes a bit more aware of the threat that Iran carries. 'That we effectively signal to anyone who might help them that if you get in bed with the Iranians and the IRGC, and you start carrying out plots to help them, then the full weight of the law is going to come down on you. 'Obviously, the law can do so much. One of the particular difficulties is that the internet gives huge capability now to someone from the IRGC, perhaps sitting at their desk in Tehran, so they could send out a tasking package onto the internet and organise mayhem in the US. 'There have been two major plots. One was an attempt to murder John Bolton, who was a former high-ranking national security official. Another one was an attempt to murder president Trump himself. All of this was done from Tehran coordinated through the internet. 'So there are big questions about, first of all, making people aware of the threats so they're not tempted to help if they realise it might be the Iranians, and also looking remorselessly at how the internet can be exploited.' Government sources said Mr Hall's report would set out the potential legal framework needed for proscription of state-associated groups like the IRGC. The Home Office announced in March that Iran and any agents acting on its behalf will be declared a security threat and forced to register their activities in the UK or face five years in jail. Dan Jarvis, the security minister, said the whole Iranian state, including the IRGC and its intelligence agency, will be placed in the highest category of a new foreign influence register. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Saba Yemen
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Saba Yemen
Salami: America yielded to Yemen's power, Gaza thwarted superpowers
Tehran – Saba: Commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Major General Hossein Salami said on Tuesday "Iran's power in confronting global challenges and enemy threats has increased significantly, and we are facing problems with greater confidence." According to Tasnim International News Agency, at the conclusion of the conference of teachers and leaders of Al-Salihin Educational Network, held in the holy city of Mashhad, he praised the strength of the people of Gaza in confronting Israel and America. Salami noted the achievements of the Yemenis in confronting America, and highlighted the strength of "Yemen," saying, "The faith of these people is unshakable. When we speak with them, we find that their language is purely Quranic. This courage and faith enabled them to crush America and Israel." He added, "US President Donald Trump praised Yemen and described them as amazing." He declared a unilateral ceasefire, showing that even the enemies recognize Yemen's strength. Salami said, "After two months of intensive bombing in Yemen, America has reached the conclusion that it has achieved nothing. This demonstrates their weakness and failure." He added, "The American aircraft carriers, which are like floating cities, were unable to make any progress, and the enemy saw that damaging them would cause major problems for America, so they were forced to cease fire." Salami said, "In Gaza, people are living without water or food and are facing harsh conditions. Yet, they were able to thwart two superpowers: America, as the main supporter of Israel," according to Iran's Tasnim News Agency. Whatsapp Telegram Email Print
Saba Yemen
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Saba Yemen
IRGC: Iran capable of attacking enemy in all arenas if attacked
Tehran – Saba: Spokesman for the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Brigadier General Ali Naeini has confirmed that the Islamic Republic has achieved decisive deterrence in all areas and has the ability to attack the enemy in all arenas if it is subjected to any aggression. Brigadier General Naeini said, "We have the ability to attack the enemy if it attacks Iran," according to the Iranian Mehr News Agency. Naeini added, "We have achieved decisive deterrence in all areas and have the ability to attack the enemy in all arenas if we are subjected to any aggression." He emphasized that the Iranian people believe in the deterrent and offensive capabilities of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The IRGC spokesman said, "In American and Western research centers, Iran is considered a strong country and the leading player in the region, but in the cognitive war, they present a false image of Iran." Whatsapp Telegram Email Print
Fox News
16-04-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Bipartisan senators push tougher penalties for foreign-backed crimes on US soil
In the wake of the arrest of two foreign nationals seeking to murder a U.S. journalist on behalf of the Iranian government, a bipartisan group of senators put forward a bill Tuesday to stiffen penalties on people who commit crimes in the U.S. on behalf of foreign countries. Sens. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., Jim Banks, R-Ind., Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, and Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., introduced the Deterring External Threats and Ensuring Robust Responses to Egregious and Nefarious Criminal Endeavors (DETERRENCE) Act. The bill increases penalties on murder-for-hire schemers, those convicted of attempted murder or assassination of federal officials, as well as suspects allegedly involved in attempting to kill former officials because of their actions while in office. Stalking and attempted kidnapping in the name of foreign governments would also lead to more serious charges for any offender. Many sentence enhancements fell at 10 additional years in prison. "If you commit crimes in America on behalf of foreign adversaries, you must face serious consequences," Slotkin said in a statement. "The bipartisan DETERRENCE Act helps strengthen penalties for these crimes and sends a clear message about how seriously we take our national security and how we will hold accountable those who commit crimes against our nation." In March, two foreigners appeared in New York federal court and pleaded not guilty to an alleged murder-for-hire plot against Masih Alinejad – an Iranian-born U.S. journalist. Rafat Amirov of Iran and Polad Omarov of the Czech Republic and Slovenia were members of the Russian mob and were hired by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps to kill the New York City resident, according to prosecutors. "Finally, I will face the men hired by the Islamic Republic to kill me, right here in New York," Alinejad said at the time. "I'm deeply grateful to my new country, the United States of America, for trying to keep me safe from the government of my birth country, Iran." Ernst said the U.S. cannot allow foreign adversaries like Iran to "fund crimes against Americans on our own soil." She called the DETERRENCE Act an example of Reagan-esque "peace through strength" that puts foreign criminals "on notice" and is a direct warning to anyone trying to act on Tehran's motto of "Death to America." Meanwhile, Hassan said in a statement that Congress should pass the legislation as a clear message to foreign adversaries that they will face serious consequences if their criminal behavior crosses the U.S. border. "Foreign adversaries are working with gangs and criminals in the United States to try to kill people on our soil, which is a national security risk," she warned. Another reported foreign murder-for-hire plot was revealed last fall when an ex-Indian intelligence officer allegedly plotted to kill a U.S. citizen in New York who was a leader of a pro-Sikh independence movement. Vikash Yadav's October indictment reportedly laid out a connection to the Indian government, according to NPR.
Yemen Online
10-04-2025
- Politics
- Yemen Online
Houthi drone strike kills three children in Yemen's Hodeidah: Govt official
Three children were killed on Thursday when a Houthi drone struck a residential house in Yemen's Red Sea province of Hodeidah, a local government official said. The official, who requested anonymity, confirmed that the drone was launched by Houthi forces but missed its intended target and instead hit a civilian dwelling in Hays district of Hodeidah. 'The drone attack claimed the lives of three children from a single family and left two others wounded,' the official said. The Houthi group has not issued any statement regarding the incident. The Yemen-based militia has fought against the government since 2014 and controlled much of northern Yemen, including the capital Sanaa. Earlier on April 9, Vice President of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), Tariq Saleh, urged the international community to bolster support for the Yemeni government in countering threats posed by the Houthi militias. Saleh made the remarks during a videoconference meeting with US Ambassador to Yemen Steven Fagin, where they discussed matters of mutual interest, including 'the ongoing American military campaign to undermine the terrorist Houthi militias and deter their threats to navigation,' according to a statement released by Saleh's office on Wednesday. Saleh warned that Yemen continues to serve as 'a platform for the activities of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps,' stressing the need to 'translate the international community's awareness of this threat into tangible support for the legitimate Yemeni government.' 'Ending the threats posed by Iran's proxies in Yemen (the Houthi group) requires strong international support for the Yemeni government to complete the battle to restore the state,' Saleh said. For his part, Fagin reaffirmed the US commitment to supporting the PLC, highlighting that his country would continue its efforts to undermine the Houthis' military capabilities until they cease their threat to maritime security in the Red Sea. The US diplomat also underscored the importance of unifying ranks to address the security and humanitarian challenges facing Yemen, according to the statement.
